So Passionate in Love, But Icy in Her Madness

By JACK ANDERSON

Published: July 1, 2002

Two performances of ''Giselle'' at the Metropolitan Opera House suggested that American Ballet Theater's production of this 19th-century classic is in fine shape. Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca portrayed the leading roles of Giselle and Albrecht on Wednesday night. Amanda McKerrow and Maxim Belotserkovsky starred on Tuesday night. Both casts were eloquent.

Giselle may be a peasant lass with a weak heart. But Ms. Ferri also made her passionate, and her first-act mad scene grew increasingly intense. As a ghost in the second act, she seemed a totally different being, an apparition who desperately sought to save Albrecht from Myrta, the queen of the evil spirits.

In the first act, Mr. Bocca's assurance implied that this Albrecht was a playboy who enjoyed dallying with peasants. As he came to realize how he had harmed Giselle, he was overwhelmed with grief, and his second act was notable both for the brilliance of his dancing and for his sense of repentance. Ms. McKerrow was such an extremely shy and trusting Giselle that it became painful to watch her hurtle toward madness and death. In the mad scene she appeared to turn icy, as first reason and then life itself ebbed away.

Mr. Belotserkovsky's Albrecht was an impulsive young man. Then, as he was ordered to dance by Myrta in the second act, his body soared while at the same time his spirit seemed weighted down. Both performances featured effective characterizations of Hilarion, the gamekeeper who is Albrecht's rival. Guillaume Graffin made Hilarion look smug on Wednesday. Ethan Brown was memorably gruff on Tuesday.

Gillian Murphy once again played Myrta on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Stella Abrera danced with lyrical beauty as Myrta, yet lacked the authority to be a totally convincing evil monarch.

Joaquin De Luz was unusually buoyant in his Peasant Pas de Deux with Maria Riccetto on Wednesday. But Ms. Murphy and Gennadi Saveliev were also spirited in the duet on Tuesday. Ormsby Wilkins conducted both performances.